Ceramics & Glass BA (Hons)

Practice Process 1
You will be introduced to researching, developing ideas, drawing, designing and essential making processes in ceramics and glass through a series of creative studio projects. Basic introductions into to digital technology support study in this unit.

Contextual Studies 1
You’ll explore where craft and design practices fit within wider social and cultural landscapes. You will learn about the contextual location of historical and contemporary practice with a long-term view to identifying your own arena of practice.

Practice Process 2
Further set projects, will help you develop a deeper understanding of specific ceramics and glass techniques. You will develop research skills as well as build up a technical understanding of materials and process.

Practice Process 3
You will consolidate your making ability developed in previous units and gain new skills. These will focus on mould making and its subsequent products in ceramics glass. You will be expected to choose ceramics or glass to then go forward and specialise in. To respond with confidence to more complex project briefs as you prepare for your second year, you'll extend your understanding of the subject context for your work and begin to explore relevant industry focus.

Practice Exploration 1
An important element of second year experience is to develop an individual approach to practice. You’ll identify your interests and expand your research skills, promoting a critical and reflective approach to designing and making. This unit begins with a set project that enables ceramics and glass students to increase their knowledge of plaster mould-making and production. Increasingly complex methods of production are introduced that focus on form. CAD techniques are explored at deeper levels.

Contextual Studies 2
Objects and environments are fundamental to our understanding of the world and this unit introduces a range of contexts demonstrating the importance of meaning and how this can be used to create and express value within the objects you are making. You’ll cover everything from consumer demands to emotional attachment, to the notion of luxury and material culture.

Practice Exploration 2
Building on your experience in Practice Exploration 1 you will continue to develop your design identity and interests. An important element of second year experience is to develop an individual approach to practice. You will now devise your own research project and be working more independently. Inductions include an in-depth experience of print and how this can be applied to both ceramics and glass.

Practice Exploration 3
You’ll define your own patterns of study and consolidate your creative practice by developing work in response to your own concerns, interests and personal direction, ready for your final year. You’ll complete project briefs from inception to resolution and incorporate all stages of the design process, learning more about professional practice and contemporary context.

Students in the School of Crafts and Design have the unique opportunity within UCA to add an additional year of study at an overseas institution (either at a higher education establishment or workplace).

This optional year is designed to broaden your educational experience and deepen your understanding of cultural diversity, enabling you to study within a different cultural context and gain fresh perspectives. 

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience. Living in another country, you'll experience new places, people, cultures and possibilities. You'll develop initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where you go, a working knowledge of another language – all qualities employers are looking for. You will return to complete your degree with all the benefits of the International Year experience behind you.

To find out more about studying abroad as part of your course please see the Study Abroad section:

• Study abroad information

Practice Portfolio
Priming you for life after graduation, this unit will help you through the transition from student to early stage professional practitioner or another relevant career. You’ll develop a practice portfolio reflecting your individual interests, which will demonstrate your abilities to create opportunities and to promote yourself, as well as your knowledge of the industry.

Practice Position 1
You will begin to outline your individual practice position, with this preparatory unit ahead of your final major project. To achieve this, you’ll take one of two routes - research and exploratory prototyping and testing, or research to resolution. Whichever route you take, you will be developing and realising your own design ideas.

Contextual Studies 3
You will conceive, develop and construct a personally meaningful portfolio of contextual research which locates and evaluates your studio practice in relation to a range of contextual frameworks and perspectives. Critical engagement with a range of contextual and theoretical frameworks supports the positioning of individual practice in relation to past, present and possible future endeavours.

Practice Position 2
Following on from the preparatory work completed in Practice Position 1, you identify a personal creative direction and critically define your practice within the discipline. You’ll develop a collection of work for your graduate design project, which will be publicly exhibited and prepare for opportunities and awareness of future direction post-graduation.

We enjoy close links with a range of professional organisations who are able to benefit our students in the form of work experience and deeper collaborations. We work with a range of Worshipful companies and other organisations who are able to benefit our students in the form of bursaries, awards, seminars, workshops, commissions and competitions. Our students have also taken part in competitions with the Lighting Industry Association and the British Art Medals Society. Other links include:

• Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass
• Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers
• Bullseye Glass of America
• Gaffer Glass UK.
• 318 Ceramics
• The Crafts Study Centre
• Grayshott Pottery
• Froyle Tiles

As well as study abroad/international year opportunities, a European study trip is organised each year and is open to all year groups.

The course at Farnham is the UK’s representative of ISCAEE (International Symposium of Ceramics Art Education and Exchange). Every two years staff and students visit an institute for a symposium. Students exhibit their work and deliver lectures alongside their professors. These are all published in ISBN publications. They experience demonstrations from experts and cultural visits. Countries visited include China, Japan, Korea and Turkey.

Many of our graduates become self-employed designers and makers, setting up their own businesses and also taking freelance commissions. Some go on to work for design and manufacturing companies. Others work with galleries, for museums, undertake curatorships, work in academia or move on to postgraduate study.